Logan Buchanan of Newton was voted the Wichita Large School Preseason Wrestler of the Year. Buchanan was preseason ranked third in the 190 weight class in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association poll after taking fifth at 220 at the 5A Tournament last season.

The offseason work Buchanan has put in to prepare for the season, has been grueling, to say the least.

“To prepare for my wrestling season, I have been working on cutting down to the 190 pound weight class,” Buchanan said. “I weighed 245 pounds back in April and currently weighs 203 pounds. It’s been hard work, cutting down but I’m making great progress.”

Buchanan, is just one piece to a talented Railer roster that has big-time aspirations this season.

“This season I expect the Newton wrestling team to do amazing, as a whole,” Buchanan said. “Many of our wrestlers have been grinding to cut weight and all of them have made great progress while also building strength. Individually, I expect the best from myself. Winning my matches will be much sweeter this year, knowing how hard I will have worked to make the cut for my weight class.”

Being able to sustain his energy throughout a match was something Buchanan worked on throughout the offseason. It has been a grind, but he feels like he is more prepared this year than last season.

“Cardio training and a longer lasting gas tank during matches is what I worked on,” Buchanan said. “Cutting so much weight has left a huge impact on how long I can stay strong and efficient in the practice room. I’m very happy with the results of my progress.”

Buchanan has not made a final decision on his college choice, but he is leaning a certain direction as of right now.

“For my future in wrestling, I’m leaning towards Pratt Community College,” Buchanan said. “Coach Kepley is a great guy and I hope to learn from him in my future.”